This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Mario Strikers: Charged by Spong

Mario Strikers: Charged Football is a deceptively hardcore little game. While at first it may seem little more than a fast-paced, space-age cartoony kickabout, after repeated play of the single-player and both offline and online multiplayer games, it becomes clear that there is far more depth to the game than, at first, meets the eye. Graphics-wise, while nothing much to shout about, it looks, well, happy and colourful and pleasingly chunky, in the way in which only truly memorable Nintendo characters can.

This is an excerpt from the First Look Article of the Nintendo Wii game by GameSpot

Based on what we’ve seen of the game, it looks like NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is sticking closely to the original game by focusing on flight and fantasy. We’ll bring you more information over the coming months, but for now you can take a look at the first images from the game on our gamespace. NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is scheduled to be released this fall.

A carnival atmosphere pervades as people in Squishee brand cut-off tees serve bright red and blue drinks from the store front of the Kwik-e-Mart and servers with tall blue wigs take drink orders.

It’s hot on the FOX lot, but on the set of what appears to be Main Street, Everytown USA the event feels like a block party. The slick socialites and chest-slung babies that dot the FOX lot speak to the mass appeal of the Simpsons, and though they are all waiting for the much anticipated 400th episode, everyone is busy taking photos on the familiar Simpsons’ couch or enjoying fajitas from the Krusty Burger.

A large film screen looms over a DJ. A naked running Homer is projected on screen, “The streak continues…” it says.

Elsewhere in the FOX studio, EA prepares to unveil the Simpsons Game to the press for the first time. Stand-ups border a large flat screen, each portrays the Simpsons characters comically interjected into game settings, they read: “NeverQuest,” “Medal of Homer,” “Bartman Begins,” and “Grand Theft Scratchy.”

As the press files in, there is a sense that something special is about to take place. Despite the fact that if one looks back, this is the 22nd in a storied series of Simpsons’ titles, the fact that the announcement of this game is taking place alongside the staggering accomplishment of the series’ 400th installment, sets it apart as unique.

Once everyone is settled, the event begins. After a brief introduction the series’ writers are introduced: Tim Long, Matt Selman and Matt Warburton take the stage. They talk for a few minutes about the experience of writing the original script for the game, close to an hour of original cinematics, and 8,000 lines of dialogue define the game as an extension of the show itself.

After the writers finish talking, the demo begins. We see the first glimpse of the game. A level entitled, “Around the World in 80 Bites,” showcases Homer as he runs through the Duff Brewery, eating everything from tacos to Chinese takeout. As never before, the game looks like just the show, bringing familiar characters like Barney Gumble and The Bumblebee Man to life.

As the demo concludes, Matt Groening enters the room and speaks enthusiastically about the game alongside the writers. He tells the press about the unique experience of playing an original season of the Simpsons, and the writers speak about the title as a rebirth of Simpsons as an interactive experience. Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart, shows up as well to show her support.

After the press leaves the room, people filter across the street. The sun sets softly on the same street, and hanging lights are lit overhead. Groening takes the stage and humbly thanks the animators of the show, the sound team, and everyone responsible for the last 20 years of the Simpsons.

As the lights dim and the familiar theme plays, we watch the 400th episode together, in the streets. As one looks across hundreds of faces, it is easy to see that the Simpsons is not merely a show, a movie, or a game, but an experience that has touched us all, its distinctly human humor is electric as the whole crowd chuckles, roars, and smiles together.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced the company’s 2007 Nickelodeon video game lineup. The upcoming portfolio will include the debut of El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, as well as all-new titles based on some of the top-rated kids TV shows including SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon fans can also look forward to a new installment of the popular Nicktoons. In addition, THQ plans to release new adventures based on highly-rated Nickelodeon live-action TV shows Zoey 101 and Drake and Josh. The company’s overall portfolio is expected to ship across multiple game systems, including the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, along with Nintendo’s Wii™ video game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™ and Game Boy® Advance.

“Our Nickelodeon video game portfolio continues to lead the kids market with more than 45 million units sold-in to date,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. “We expect a continued robust Nickelodeon business in 2007 with an even greater presence on the popular Wii, our first title slated for release on Xbox 360, and additional titles in our new series of games based on Nickelodeon’s live-action properties.”

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with THQ in 2007 as we introduce our first El Tigre video game, along with all new games based on Nick’s biggest hits,” said Shaul Olmert, vice president of digital products, Nickelodeon. “Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids and the innovation that THQ brings to our gaming lineup continues to elevate us to new creative heights.”

The 2007 THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup includes:

* Nicktoons 2007 (Working Title) — Players must defeat Professor Calamitous’ vast army of evil toys based on the Nicktoons Heroes in this fast-paced action platform game. Featuring the largest selection of playable Nickelodeon characters from the most popular TV shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Nicktoons 2007 (working title) is scheduled to release for the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall.
* SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePantis — The game will follow SpongeBob and the rest of the Bikini Gang as they leave Bikini Bottom and journey to the legendary city of Atlantis. Players will discover the treasures of Atlantis, while experiencing new game mechanics and multiplayer features. SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePantis is scheduled to release for the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall. In addition, SpongeBob SquarePants: Atlantis Treasures (working title) is scheduled to release for various mobile carriers.
* Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth — Based on the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series, players will follow the second season storyline as Aang teams up with friends to defend the greatest Earth Kingdom city against a deadly Fire Nation threat. Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth is scheduled to release for Xbox 360, the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall.
* El Tigre (Working Title) — Based on the animated series, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, players will follow the adventures of Manny, the son of a superhero and the grandson of a supervillain. Players will help Manny as he must choose to use his El Tigre superpowers for good, or let his mischievous side take over. El Tigre is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this fall.
* Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco — Players will take on the role of Zoey Brooks, played by Jamie Lynn Spears, as she embarks on a field trip to Red Stone Gulch Canyons with her friends. With the aid of a park ranger, players will learn the techniques needed to survive the seemingly hostile wilderness terrain once they become separated from their guide. Zoey 101 is available now for Game Boy Advance. Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this summer.
* Drake & Josh: Talent Showdown — Featuring all of the humor from the hit TV series, players will enjoy adventure-style gameplay as they help Drake and Josh win the infamous talent show, “Teen American Talent,” by avoiding sabotages from other contestants and by perfecting their music skills. The game allows players to interact with all of their favorite characters from the TV show, including Drake, Josh and Megan. Drake & Josh is available now for Game Boy Advance. Drake & Josh: Talent Showdown is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this summer.

More information about the THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup can be found at www.thq.com.

This is an excerpt from the Preview of the Nintendo Wii game Manhunt 2 by TVG

Despite the changes, Manhunt 2 is very much a sequel that follows a similar line to its predecessor. The chilling suspense, along with the overriding themes of paranoia and psychosis, should combine to create a thoroughly absorbing take on the stealth genre and one that creates an atmosphere beyond the likes of Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell.

Story appears to play a large role in the appeal of Manhunt 2, so it’s difficult to make too much of a judgement at this stage; however, the cliff-hanger ending has certain wetted our appetite and we’re looking forward to seeing more.

This is an excerpt from the Preview of the Nintendo Wii game Manhunt 2 by 1up

Without the last game’s main character, the “director” talking to you, and the gameshow setting, Manhunt 2 may not initially seem very Manhunt-ish. But look closer and you’ll find very similar gameplay. It’s essentially a sequel in the way Final Fantasy games are sequels — new cast and location, but with the same backbone that established the series in the first place.

The big shift here is setting. While the first Manhunt played out like a game version of The Running Man, the sequel puts players into a “garbage dump” asylum (as Rockstar describes it) in control of a character that has been experimented on. Naturally, he has to escape, figure out what’s going on, and brutally murder a number of people along the way. (See, it’s a Manhunt game after all.)

This is an excerpt from the First Look article about the Nintendo Wii game Transformers: The Game by TVG

As a mid-twentysomething, there’s nothing more nostalgic (other than listening to the screeching loading tones of Sinclair Spectrum) than thinking back to Transformers, the kids cartoon that cynics would describe as being little more than a thirty-minute animated toy advert. Powerful robotic characters with names as evocative as Megatron, Starscream, Grimlock, and of course, Optimus Prime, conjure up exciting adventures between Autobots and Decepticons, as they continue a millennia-long war across the galaxy from the planet Cybertron to planet Earth…and back again. Playing with the toys (and inevitably making some sort of transforming noise along the way), as they changed into a myriad of cars, jets, and guns, whiled away the hours – the branded ‘Robots in Disguise’ even featured in my first experience of going to the cinema back in the mid-1980s, where I (and countless other five-year olds) cried at the death of Autobot leader, Optimus Prime.

This is some new info from the “The Official UK Playstation 2 Magazine” related to the game Manhunt 2 coming to the Wii, PS2 and y PSP

• Cuts & Bruises – From looking at the screenshots it shows Daniel with a few cuts here and there in select shots, implying that a similar damage system from the first game remains intact.

• Enemies – Foes have less scripted patrols with improved A.I, making them harder to kill.

• Guns – Guns are only a major factor later in the game, much like the original. Although it does look as though members of ‘The Project’ are prone to turning up whenever and are not specific to one location, much like the Cerberus in the original game.

• H.U.D – Energy bar goes dark blue when hiding, the radar is located on the bottom left of the screen, it again monitors the noise you make.

• Judy – We already knew Judy worked at ‘The Honey Pot’ brothel, the magazine now reveals that Judy is also a ‘technician’ for ‘The Project’. This explains why Daniel was looking for her; the magazine then goes on to (surprisingly) state that Judy dies before providing Daniel with the information.

• Level Information – Within ‘The Honey Pot’ brothel there is a ‘whore going to work on a ‘client’. The way it is described it seems to me as though this is visible rather than just being audio, however, it may still be the case. When breaking glass you have to time it right to be effective.

• The asylum looks to be full of character, one cell has a inmate that has hung himself, the folks at Rockstar have even gone as far as placing the knocked over chair that he kicked from under himself. There are ‘crap-caked walls’, presumably from Daniels poop-lobbing cell mate.

• The Project – The full title of ‘The Project’ is ‘The Pickman Project’, named after its founding professor Pickman.

• Weapons – The syringe is the first weapon you come across; you shortly thereafter pick up the ballpoint pen. The plastic bag and syringe one use items however the biro and glass shard aren’t. Baseball bat is wrapped in barbed wire, not spiked like the removed bat from the first game. Previously thought pliers are actually wire cutters, they serve multiple purposes including cutting your way into the ventilation shaft at the brothel and of course executions.

• Weapon Storage – We previously knew about the menu system that pauses the game, the magazine now adds to that by explaining that heavy weapons are placed on Daniels back, medium around his waste and small in his hands, they also say ‘with room for a few other bits and bobs’. So that means either the game pausing menu is for quick access to weapons rather than shuffling through them, or it means you can store everything at once and choose to keep one of each variety on you at once